Dunbarton students explore science and geography through learning about nonprofit

Fifth graders from Dunbarton Elementary School Sage Chapman (left) and Shawn Murphy help Dennie Dyer of Londonderry set up a 10-person tent learn about Shelter Box, a non-profit group that provides shelter and supplies to victims of disasters around the world; Thursday, December 20, 2012. Fifth-grade teacher Barbara Schult used the group's mission as the basis of to combine several disciplines the students are learning about, from geography and science to writing.

Bill Dyer walks past a tent in the gym at Dunbarton Elementary School learn about Shelter Box, a non-profit group that provides shelter and supplies to victims of disasters; Thursday, December 20, 2012. Fifth-grade teacher Barbara Schult used the group's mission as the basis of to combine several disciplines the students are learning about, from geography and science to writing. Each box sent to families affected by natural disasters contains a tent, equipment for cooking, eating, sleeping and cothes for cold or rainy weather for 10 people. The British-based nonprofit has shipped more than 120,000 of the relief kits since 2000.

Fifth graders from Dunbarton Elementary School (Colby Gonyer, Evan Cate and Ben Harris) look out a window in a tent set up in the school gym while learning about Shelter Box, a non-profit group that provides shelter and supplies to victims of disasters; Thursday, December 20, 2012. Fifth-grade teacher Barbara Schult used the group's mission as the basis of to combine several disciplines the students are learning about, from geography and science to writing.

Dunbarton fifth-graders are not only learning geography, but also how current events tie in with the subject. Yesterday morning they took turns walking through the huge tent set up in the school gym. Representatives of Shelter Box, a British nonprofit, showed Dunbarton Elementary School students what went in to each of the relief kits the group distributes around the world to victims of natural disasters. Since 2000, more than 120,000 kits have been sent to those in need. Supplies include a 10-person tent and survival equipment such as thermal blankets, a stove, tools, and even books and crayons for children. “I saw Shelter Box’s display at the Goffstown Pumpkin Festival,” said teacher Barbara Schult, and the focus of the nonprofit became the center of the class’s curriculum. While learning about geography and how it relates to current events, the students also learn about weather and nature as it relates to the natural disasters that have affected areas around the world.